Thanks, KS, and thanks, Dannigold!

There are clips on you tube of the wedding

JamesF, how do you keep up with American soaps? Do they show them in the UK?

When was the wedding shown - I need the exact date? Thanks!

I keep up with them as and when something takes my interest through various sources online. Episodes of all the soaps are readily available if you know where to look but I probably shouldn't say any more than that. Predominantly my interest lies with B&B but I've watched Y&R, DOOL, GL and GH regularly in the past and seen scads of the others.

Y&R, B&B, ATWT, GL, DOOL and GH have all been shown in the UK at one time or another but not in the past few years and that's where my interest began.

As for the wedding I'm afraid I don't know the exact date but the official website might be able to help.

EastEnders actor Phil Daniels has quit the BBC soap after nearly two years.

The 47-year-old – who joined the cast as Kevin Wicks in September 2005 – has decided not to renew his contract, provoking Walford executives to axe his on-screen children, Carly and Deano (played by Kellie Shirley and Matt Di Angelo).

Diane Parish – who plays Daniels' screen wife Denise – will also make a temporary exit at the same time while she has a baby in real life.

Speaking of his decision to quit, Daniels told The Sun: "EastEnders has been an absolute pleasure, but it was always my intention, after two years in the job, to move on and do other things.

"I'd like to thank all on the Square for making my stay such fun."

Kellie, 25, commented: "It's a shame the option on my contract hasn’t been picked up, but it wouldn't feel right to remain in the Square without the rest of my family.

"I've not been able to accept work while playing Carly and I can't wait to get my teeth into others roles - but I wouldn't change a thing about my EastEnders experience."

Di Angelo, 19, added: "I've had a really good time at EastEnders and I've learnt so much from the cast."

Phil Daniels, Diane Parish, Kellie Shirley and Matt Di Angelo will continue filming with the BBC soap until November, with their characters remaining on screen until the new year. Diane, however, will return after her period of maternity leave.

Meanwhile, actress Linda Henry – who plays Kevin Wicks' ex-wife Shirley Carter – is sticking with the BBC soap as earlier this month, Bobby Davro signed to appear as Vince Monks, a new love interest for the wayward barmaid.

The wedding took place on Thursday 19th July and Friday 20th

Here's the ratings (that is why I asked):

1 EASTENDERS (FRI 2001) 10.29

2 EASTENDERS (THU 1929) 8.45

3 EASTENDERS (MON 1959) 8.45

4 EASTENDERS (TUE 1929) 8.17

1 CORONATION STREET (FRI 1934) 9.48

2 CORONATION STREET (MON 2029) 9.45

3 CORONATION STREET (MON 1933) 9.37

4 CORONATION STREET (WED 1930) 8.62

5 CORONATION STREET (SUN 1929) 7.57

Edited August 18, 200718 yr by Sylph

Maybe the Wicks family's exit is why they're bringing in all those new characters?

They certainly have a treasure in Shirley/Linda Henry.

Week ending 05/08/2007:

1 EASTENDERS (MON 1959) 8.58

2 EASTENDERS (FRI 1959) 8.02

3 EASTENDERS (THU 1930) 7.73

4 EASTENDERS (TUE 1929) 7.51

1 CORONATION STREET (MON 2029) 9.62

2 CORONATION STREET (MON 1934) 9.03

3 CORONATION STREET (WED 1930) 8.70

4 CORONATION STREET (FRI 1934) 8.52

5 CORONATION STREET (SUN 1929) 8.13

Maybe the Wicks family's exit is why they're bringing in all those new characters?

They certainly have a treasure in Shirley/Linda Henry.

ITA -- Shirley is a great character. Although I did enjoy Kevin's relationship with Denise, I was never really drawn into the Wicks' family's story.

Kevin was quite obviously an attempt to bring in a new "Alfie Moon." The kids never impressed me all that much. I did like some of the interaction they had with Pat.

Tonight's shows were a lot of stuff about Stella. Ben's return. Li running off and Wellington being abducted from Mickey. Bradley & Stacey announcing their engagement. Pat running more games at night and Mo eating a cockroach unawares. Phil hiding with Shirley instead of having the wedding. Deano & Chelsea trying to get revenge on Sean Slater but failing miserably.

Max hitting on a woman who put him in his place quickly then turned out to be working with Tanya.

There was also a drag queen singing and some further singing by Shirley's friend Heather.

The show does seem to be changing style rapidly.

The changes you are seeing in my opinion are the work of Diederick Santer. The first exec producer in years who knows how EE should be written. Also the BBC have told them not to be afraid of tackling issues and tacking risks again.

Edited August 20, 200718 yr by dannigold

From September 3rd Uk fans can watch Days of our lives, The Young and the Restless and Guiding light on entertainment channel Zone Romantica

What episodes? Fresh or somewhat old?

Nobody knows yet. The last episode of Days to air in the UK, was the shootout at Greta's coronation.

Edited August 20, 200718 yr by dannigold

James Payne (wrote Thursday, July 19th EastEnders episode)

OFF SCRIPT

James Payne is a comedy and drama writer whose current projects include an original drama pilot for Hat Trick/C4. He is a core member of the EastEnders writing team and previously wrote an TV Afternoon Play for the BBC and worked on Hollyoaks for two years</I>.

I wrote my first play when I was 17. We put it on at lunchtime. The sound of glassy-eyed students eating their sandwiches and muttering 'This is rubbish' didn't put me off. I went to Art College in Brighton, wrote more plays. Then I won a few radio play competitions and thought I was on my way. I wasn't. I sent endless scripts and ideas to names pulled out of the Radio Times and the Writers Handbook (we didn't have the internet back then) and got nowhere. I became embittered, blamed everyone else... Then I came to a blinding realisation: I have to work even harder. So I did. I signed on for five years, ate mustard on toast, then bit by bit rejection letters became nicer rejection letters that led to meetings and before you knew it I was writing for Ant & Dec.

Writing makes me free. I can go anywhere, do anything. I also really like sitting on my arse all day.

If I weren't writing I'd still be signing on, probably.

What I most enjoy about writing is the initial ideas darting around in your head like crazed fireflies; and accomplishment. Making myself laugh; magic moments on draft 6 when it all clicks and you get a stupid smile on your face.

Do I have a cure for writers block? If it's not coming I think it's your subconscious telling you what you're doing isn't quite right. Doesn't mean you should give up. It just means you might need to consider other approaches to the mountain.

I like more things about the industry than I hate. I love other writers too (most of them). You have those shared feelings and experiences. If I had to choose something though I suppose it would be fashion trends. You know: 'They're doing that. Have you got any ideas that are like that but different? And an hour long.' Eh? By the time I've thought of something the trend has moved on. 'Hours are out. We're looking for 3 and one quarter minute drama bursts now...'

I'm most proud of a lot of my EastEnders scripts and the BBC1 afternoon play I wrote last year Are You Jim's Wife? I've also got two scripts at home that I really, really love. Maybe they'll be made someday...

I like hacking up my scripts with editors I trust. It can make them faster, funnier and more truthful. But if you don't have that trust a nip and a tuck can end up a basket case.

I'm inspired by lots of people. Having watched One Summer transfixed as a 10 year old (and more recently on DVD), Willy Russell holds a special place in my heart.

Is Zone Romantica a cable channel, satellite, or digital cable?